May 30, 2018
Tampa Bay Rays – After making four starts this month, Sergio Romo is back in the bullpen and was tabbed by Kevin Cash to close out Tuesday’s tilt. Romo allowed a single and a double to start his outing, but he followed that with three straight groundouts (two of which plated runs) to complete a 4-3 win. Romo is the third Tampa reliever to record a save since Alex Colome was shipped to Seattle, and after the game Kevin Cash said that Romo will get some, but not all, of the save opportunities. Jose Alvarado had thrown 23 pitches on Monday, so a day off on Tuesday wasn’t that farfetched and it’s likely he gets the save chance today if one arises. Still, this is looking like a committee after last night’s comments from Cash.
Hierarchy remains: *Alvarado | Romo | Roe.
* = closer-by-committee
Philadelphia Phillies – Hector Neris got the ball in the eighth inning against the top of the Dodgers’ order, tasked with protecting a four-run lead. It did not go well for Neris, as three hits and one earned run later, he gave way to Tommy Hunter to get out of the inning. The Phillies tacked on two more runs in the top of the ninth, but if they didn’t, Seranthony Dominguez was probably going to get the save chance. Dominguez has been lights out this year, but he has yet to pitch two straight days. Neris has not been good in his last two appearances, and it may do him (and the Phillies) some good if he pitches in lower-leverage spots.
Updated hierarchy: *Dominguez | Ramos | Neris.
* = closer-by-committee
Houston Astros — Ken Giles had thrown 35 pitches over the last two days, so with the Astros ahead by two in the ninth, AJ Hinch turned to Chris Devenski to close out a win. That was a nice idea, but Devenski gave up a two-run homer to send the game to extras. Giles was originally unavailable because of his previous workload, but that changed when the Astros threatened to take the lead in the 10th. Either way, Giles and Devenski remain the top two arms in the Houston bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: Giles | Devenski | Peacock.
San Diego Padres – With the 2-3-4 hitters due up for Miami in the eighth inning, Andy Green called on closer Brad Hand to take care of business an inning earlier than usual. Hand retired the side in order, with Yates originally intended to vulture a save until the Padres extended their one-run lead to a five-run advantage. Green mentioned before the season that Hand may not be employed exclusively in the ninth, so this idea isn’t completely out of left field. We’ll see if Green continues to finally follow through on his preseason promise.
Hierarchy remains: Hand | Yates | Stammen.
Pittsburgh Pirates – It wasn’t a save situation, but Felipe Vazquez worked a clean ninth inning in a Pirates loss. Not only that, but Vazquez hit triple digits with his fastball four times, his way of showing everyone he’s fine.
Hierarchy remains: Vazquez | Feliz | Santana.
Baltimore Orioles — Zach Britton will begin his rehab assignment today, it’s just a matter of where. That will be his first game inning since offseason surgery on his Achilles tendon. Meanwhile, Darren O’Day was supposed to throw on Tuesday, but that did not happen.
Hierarchy remains: Brach | Bleier | Givens.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Alex Colome – Edwin Diaz, who had a rough outing on Tuesday, has pitched in two straight and four of five.
Tomorrow
1. Chris Devenski – Devenski should be off today. If Ken Giles has a really tough outing on Wednesday, Devenski may get a chance on Thursday, as Giles will have pitched in three of four.
2. David Robertson/Dellin Betances – It will be two straight and three of four for the entire Yankee hierarchy if any of them pitch on Wednesday. A particularly lengthy appearance for any of them could lead to a day off on Thursday.
3. Michael Feliz/Edgar Santana – The Pirates may be cautious with Felipe Vazquez after his recent injury scare, but the entire Pirates bullpen has been busy lately. Wednesday’s usage will determine how Thursday goes.
